SDSU enrollment this fall is slightly down from last year but university officials have found plenty to like about the numbers and the university’s avoidance of the “enrollment cliff.”
Numbers released by the Board of Regents late last week show a drop in students at SDSU, from 12,139 last year to 11,901 students this fall. While the numbers are down, officials have noted that 2026 marks the third consecutive year that enrollment was right around 12,000.
“There are definitely some really positive things in our overall enrollment numbers,” Michaela Willis, the vice president for student affairs and Enrollment Management said. “Of course we always strive to be up just a little bit in headcount, but overall, we’re pretty happy with the numbers.”
Overall, South Dakota’s six Board of Regents schools have seen steady numbers with instances of slight increases in enrollment.
Black Hills State University gained students from last year, going from 3,425 to 3,502 students. Dakota State University increased from 3,842 to 3,975 students and Northern State University was up from 3,739 to 3,890 students.
South Dakota Mines enrollment fell to 2,489 from last year’s 2,541 according to numbers released by the Regents. Also down is the University of South Dakota, dropping from last year’s 10,405 students to 10,040 this fall.
As for the makeup of SDSU’s enrollment, this year marks the highest number of South Dakota residents attending SDSU in 11 years, with nearly 7,000 students, according to the Board of Regents.
President Barry Dunn noted the importance of South Dakota residents attending SDSU.
“We have a responsibility to provide access to the benefits of higher education for those who seek it and prepare graduates who will strengthen our state’s workforce, communities, and economy,” he said in a statement released by the university.
The number of American Indian students enrolled at SDSU also is up. Willis attributes this increase to the Wokini Initiative, which launched in 2017.
The Wokini Initiative is one of many programs, including SDSU Connect, that looks to boost enrollment at SDSU. This comes at a time where other universities across the country have noticed a dip in enrollment, referred to as an enrollment cliff, Willis said.
International student numbers at SDSU are down 11%, which is near the national average. This decrease happened because of national policy changes outside of the university’s control, said Willis
“We’re going to continue to look at how we can shore that up in the future and continue to build strong relationships with our international partners,” Willis said.
Meanwhile, PhD enrollment increased 10% from last year, according to the Board of Regents.
Willis says that this increase comes as exciting news due to the SDSU’s pursuit of becoming a Carnegie R1 school. “We’re seeing some really nice growth that will hopefully help us achieve (CR1 Status) in the next three to five years.”
Another highlight according to Willis is the university’s retention rate which is 82.6% marking a fourth consecutive year where first to second year retention is above 82%.
President Dunn also stressed the importance that faculty and staff had on enrollment and retention. “Every interaction a student has with SDSU helps shape their experience and their decision to come here, remain here and ultimately graduate,” Dunn said.